Blood Test Shows Promise for Earlier, More Accessible Breast Cancer Detection
Montreal, QC – A groundbreaking blood test developed by Montreal researchers could revolutionize breast cancer screening, offering the potential for earlier detection, especially in younger women, and improved access for those in remote areas. The innovative technology utilizes laser technology to profile immune cells, coupled with artificial intelligence (AI), to identify subtle indicators of the disease.
Currently, in Quebec, only women aged 50 to 74 are routinely invited for mammography every two years. Though, experts have observed a concerning rise in breast cancer diagnoses among women under 50, prompting a need for more effective screening methods for this demographic. The National Institute of Excellence in Health and Social Services is already considering integrating screening for women aged 45-49 into the Quebec program.
“I am really interested in understanding how we can better detect breast cancer among young women under the age of 50,” explains Dr. Saima Hassan, a researcher at the Research Center of the University of Montreal hospital and lead investigator on the project. “We want to better understand if we can use a blood test in women who are under 50, under 40, or even less than 30 years.”
The new blood test aims to address limitations of conventional mammography, which can be inconvenient for patients and less accessible to those living in distant regions. “There are women who live far from the big centers that could have access to better (screening),” Dr. Hassan notes. “And for mammography, it is not a test that women like to undergo… So better access, but also an easier test.”
The technology works by comparing blood samples from women diagnosed with breast cancer to those of healthy individuals. This process “teaches” the AI to recognize the specific signals indicative of the disease. Furthermore, the AI can refine its analysis based on individual patient characteristics, such as age and ethnicity, aligning with the growing trend of “precision medicine.”
“Artificial intelligence is an approach where we are able to put different factors together, because we will have a lot of different factors at the level of immune systems, and also biochemical elements, to find the elements that are the most vital to detect breast cancer,” Dr. Hassan clarifies.
While the blood test holds immense promise for early detection and patient stratification – identifying those who require immediate attention – researchers emphasize that it will not replace biopsies. “To have a diagnosis of breast cancer and to have the right treatments, it is sure and certain that one will always need a biopsy,” Dr. hassan states. Though, the speed and ease of the blood test could significantly accelerate the diagnostic process.
The research team, which includes Dr. Réjean Lapointe,engineer Frédéric Leblond,and AI expert Samuel Kadoury,is currently conducting ongoing research to validate the technology. The project is funded by the Canadian Cancer Society and the lotte & John Hecht Foundation.
While several years of further research and validation are still required before the test can be implemented clinically, this innovative approach represents a significant step forward in the fight against breast cancer, offering hope for earlier detection and improved outcomes for women of all ages.
Source: Jean-Benoit Legault, The Canadian Press